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Peyton Manning: Retires from NFL

by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com

Manning will announce his retirement from professional football on Monday, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reports.

In a widely anticipated decision, Manning, who was set to turn 40 later this month, will hang up his cleats after claiming the second Super Bowl title of his career in February. Manning's play declined considerably this season, as evidenced by his 9:17 touchdown-to-interception ratio and meager 6.7 yards per pass attempt, while a torn plantar fascia in his left foot also inhibited him in the second half of the campaign. Though it was believed that other teams could still be interested in bringing him aboard had the Broncos cut him loose when his 2016 contract became guaranteed March 8, Manning will instead leave the game while on top and while holding sole possession of many NFL records. The five-time league MVP is the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes for a career (539) and single season (55 in 2013), passing yardage (71,940), and victories by a quarterback (186). Manning's departure leaves Brock Osweiler as the top quarterback on the Broncos' depth chart, though it's uncertain if the team is comfortable proceeding with him as the starter heading into 2016.

The Denver Broncos relay that Peyton Manning has yet to make a call on his playing status in advance of the 2016 NFL season, ESPN.com reports.

This angle differs from a Denver Post report, which suggests that Manning, who will turn 40 on March 24, is planning to retire. Meanwhile, GM John Elway is expected to meet with the QB again after the NFL combine, which finishes up on Monday. In any case, we'd expect some clarity regarding Manning's playing future before March 9, when his $19 million base salary is slated to become guaranteed.

If Manning decides to play next season, he must take and pass a physical by March 4, The Denver Post reports.

The Broncos wait patiently while Manning completes his vacation and returns to Denver with a decision in mind, but with a potential price tag of $19 million, general manager John Elway wouldn't be blamed if he turned the offense over to Brock Osweiler after the veteran struggled mightily this past season. Because Osweiler is an unrestricted free agent, he could sign elsewhere as early as March 7, when organizations are first given the ability to extend offer sheets, or two days before Manning's contract becomes fully guaranteed. One way or another, the first week of March will have long-lasting implications, with Manning's decision spurring a domino effect across the Broncos' roster and the NFL itself.

Peyton Manning completed the 2015 campaign having completed 198 of 331 passes for 2,249 yards, nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He followed up by going 51 for 92 for 539 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in the playoffs.

Manning was showing obvious signs of breaking down during the latter half of 2014, but chose to break out the duct tape for another rodeo. The results were career lows in yards, touchdowns, passer rating and, curiously, his second Super Bowl ring. Much-maligned Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer posted a 91.4 passer rating this season, Manning only managed to top that mark twice in 13 games between the regular season and playoffs. In the playoffs, Manning showed some flashes against his old foe, the Patriots, posting a passer rating of 103.75 and his only two scores of the postseason in the first half of the AFC title game. He had a combined rating of 67.53 in the other five halves of playoff games. Denver's defense carried Manning to his second championship, and now the pursuit to keep as much of that defense intact, and keep young Brock Osweiler in town, will likely end Manning's days in Denver. It wouldn't be a complete shock if Manning dodges retirement one more time and follows Joe Namath in ending his Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Rams. However, if Manning chooses not to ride off into the sunset, don't expect the night to be kind to Manning's 40-year old body in 2016.

Manning completed 13 of 23 passes for 141 yards and an interception in Sunday's 24-10 Super Bowl victory over the Panthers. He was also sacked five times and fumbled twice, losing one.

Unlike his first Super Bowl victory nearly a decade ago, Manning was much more of a secondary figure Sunday, largely managing the game while C.J. Anderson ran effectively and the Broncos defense wreaked havoc on Cam Newton and company. The five-time MVP's arm was not a liability, although Manning did not test it downfield often, with his longest completion going for only 25 yards. His one interception came with 4:23 left in the second quarter, when Manning failed to see the Panthers' Kony Ealy in front of Emmanuel Sanders at the Carolina 20-yard line. The miscue was notably Manning's first interception in his last 164 postseason passes. He also endured heavy pressure from an aggressive Panthers front, suffering five sacks and losing a fumble on a hit by Ealy at the Panthers 48-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Having now capped off a 2015 season marked by injury and persistent questions about his arm strength with a Super Bowl victory, the matter of Manning's willingness to play in 2016 will remain a burning question until he addresses the matter definitively one way or the other. Further complicating the decision may be the fact that Manning has already been informed he will eventually need hip replacement surgery, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier this week.